How Does The Maryland District Court Work?

The District Court of Maryland is a limited jurisdiction court created by the Maryland Constitution in 1971. The district court is divided into 12 judicial districts, with 34 court locations spread among them. As a court of limited jurisdiction, district courts in Maryland can only resolve certain criminal and civil cases. Examples of criminal cases brought before a Maryland district court are:

• Traffic infractions
• Violations of municipal ordinances
• Boating violations
• Misdemeanors, and minor felonies: cases in which the penalty may be confinement for three years or more or a fine of $2,500 or more
• Initial hearings of felony cases

Civil cases involving rent issues are also brought before a district court judge. Other civil cases within the jurisdiction of the District Court include:

• Domestic violence protective orders
• Peace orders
• Some juvenile cases
• All small claims cases that do not involve property and are less than $5,000

Generally, civil actions within the amount of $5,000 may be resolved in a district court if the claimant agrees to a non-jury trial. District courts in Maryland do not have authority over some types of lawsuits. Examples are cases that reasonably seek a trial by jury, applications for declaratory relief, most applications for equal relief, most violent offenses, and most cases concerning conflicts related to ownership of land.

In Maryland, District Court judges are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the state legislator. They are assigned to serve for ten years. However, after the first year in active duty, the district court judges will participate in a retention election. The election will determine if they should stay or leave the office. Appointed judges may resume office if they meet the general qualifications, as stated under the constitution. The law requires that all district court judges must be:

• State citizens
• Qualified voters
• A resident of the district for more than five years before the appointment (have lived at least six months before the retention election)
• Above 30 years old at the time of appointment/election
• An approved law practitioner in the state
• Exhibit qualities such as wisdom, integrity, and expert legal understanding

After confirmation by the Senate, the district court judge will be sworn in. In Maryland, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals is tasked with selecting an administrative head known as the District Court’s Chief Judge. Apart from other official responsibilities, the Chief Judge of the Maryland District Court is mandated to:

• Appoint administrative judges for each judicial district.
• Appoint an administrative clerk known as the chief clerk of the District court

The number of judges for each district may be adjusted anytime as deemed fit by the General Assembly. A district commissioner is assigned by the administrative judges located in each judicial district.

Typically, non-jury (minor) issues are resolved at a district court in Maryland. Therefore, it is expected that proceedings should be completed much faster than the Circuit Court. Small claims cases may be resolved more quickly if persons agree to mediation or other alternative dispute measures. Contrary to this, these cases can take more than 90 days before reaching a judgment.

A district court clerk is appointed to record court proceedings and make them available to the public. Interested persons may use the district court directory to locate the appropriate court clerk and request court case files. Direct requests may be made in-person, via mail, or phone.

Generally, the Maryland Judiciary maintains a statewide case search for all district court cases. To locate a case file using the online repository, requesters must provide details such as case number, court location, case type, hearing date, and the names of claimants/respondents.

District Courts in Maryland provide court transcripts to individuals who are appealing a district court judgment. Requesters should submit a request form to the District Court where the judgment was given. Other necessary details that must be included in the request form are:

• Case number
• Date of the hearing or trial
• Names of both parties to the case
• Name, address, and phone number of the requester
• Appeal letter
• A deposit for $75 (a page cost $3)

Note that the court will return the balance if the total cost is less than $75. Otherwise, the requestor will be sent an additional bill if the total cost is above $75. Court transcripts are produced within 60 days of a submitted query. One original copy will be forwarded to the circuit court, while another copy will be sent to the requester.

Allegany County District Court
123 S Liberty Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone: (301) 723–3100

Anne Arundel County District Court - Annapolis
Robert F. Sweeney District Court Building
251 Rowe Boulevard
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 260–1370

Anne Arundel County District Court - Glen Burnie
George M. Taylor Multi-Service Center
7500 Gov. Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: (410) 260–1800

Baltimore County District Court - Catonsville
900 Walker Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 512–2500

Baltimore County District Court - Essex
8914 Kelso Drive
Essex, MD 21221
Phone: (410) 512–2300

Baltimore County District Court - Towson
120 E Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21286
Phone: (410) 512–2000

Calvert County District Court
Louis L. Goldstein Multi-Service Center
200 Duke Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Phone: (443) 550–6700

Caroline County District Court
Multi-Service Center
207 S 3rd Street
Denton, MD 21629
Phone: (410) 819–4600

Carroll County District Court
101 N Court Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: (410) 871–3500

Cecil County District Court
District Court/Multi-Service Center
170 E Main Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Phone: (410) 996–2700

Charles County District Court
Charles County Courthouse
11 Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 3070
La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 934–5110

Baltimore City District Court - Civil Division
501 E Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 878–8900

Baltimore City District Court - Criminal and Traffic Division
Borgerding District Court Building
5800 Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (410) 878–8000

Baltimore City District Court - Criminal and Traffic Division
Eastside District Court Building
1400 E North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21213
Phone: (410) 878–8500

Baltimore City District Court - Criminal and Traffic Division
John R. Hargrove Sr. District Court Building
700 E Patapsco Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21225
Phone: (410) 878–8300

Dorchester County District Court
310 Gay Street
P.O. Box 547
Cambridge, MD 21613
Phone: (410) 901–1420

Frederick County District Court
Frederick County Courthouse
100 W Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: (301) 600–2000

Garrett County District Court
205 S 3rd Street
Oakland, MD 21550
Phone: (301) 334–8020

Harford County District Court
Mary E. W. Risteau Multi-Service Center
2 S Bond Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: (410) 836–4545

Howard County District Court
District Court/Multi-Service Center
3451 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 480–7700

Kent County District Court
Kent County Courthouse
103 N Cross Street
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: (410) 810–3360

Montgomery County District Court - Rockville
District Court Building
191 E Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (301) 563–8800

Montgomery County District Court - Silver Spring
L. Leonard Ruben District Court Building
8552 2nd Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 563–8500

Prince George’s County District Court
Prince George’s County Courthouse - Bourne Wing
14735 Main Street
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Phone: (301) 298–4000

Prince George’s County District Court
4990 Rhode Island Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781
Phone: (301) 298–4200

Queen Anne’s County District Court
Carter M. Hickman District Court/Multi-Service Center
120 Broadway
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (410) 819–4000

Somerset County District Court
12155 Elm Street
Suite C, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Phone: 410–845–4700

Saint Mary’s County District Court
Joseph D. Carter State Office Building
23110 Leonard Hall Drive
P.O. Box 1509
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (301) 880–2700

Talbot County District Court
108 W Dover Street
Easton, MD 21601
Phone: (410) 819–5850

Washington County District Court
J. Louis Boublitz District Court Building
36 W Antietam Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Phone: (240) 420–4600

Wicomico County District Court
W. Paul Martin District Court/Multi-Service Center
201 Baptist Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: (410) 713–3500

Worcester County District Court - Ocean City
6505 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, MD 21842
Phone: (410) 723–6935

Worcester County District Court - Snow Hill
301 Commerce Street
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone: (410) 219–7830